Victims of Violent and Hate Crime in South Africa
Victims tell of murder, rape and hate crimes.
We often hear about violence in other parts of the world, but the true extent of the devastation is only known by those who live in those parts of the world, the people of those countries. We live in peace here in Australia and we can go to bed at night, tuck our children in without worrying about our own safety and the safety of our families.
Mainstream news often cover north African violence, for example the CNN had an article “U.N. human rights chief condemns vicious killings” about the murders of Somali victims of crime of 7 October 2008. Unfortunately other violent crime in Africa, like in Southern Africa seldom get the same international coverage.
In South Africa thousands of people of all ethnic gouprs have died violent deaths over the last few years and most people and the media view it as “normal” crime problems. The problem however is that these crimes are extremely violent and some can be classified as hate crimes. Women, children and the elderly of all ethnic groups are suffering. Extreme violence is a sign that a society is in crises - a social, moral and spiritual crises.
As time goes by I have been putting a list of victims together who have died violent deaths in South Africa. Once you read this list [In Memoriam], you will be shocked to the core (still under construction). There are so many and I am sure there are hundreds I don””t have, but I am doing my best to keep going. With this effort I hope to raise awareness of this issue, but more importantly we need to pray for this troubled country that peace may be restored so that people can sleep safely in their beds at night.
Please help me to pray for the families for the people who have died senselessly in South Africa and for those women and children of all ethnic groups who are raped on a daily basis.
